For many expectant mothers, the journey to motherhood comes with an unexpected and frustrating companion: a persistently blocked nose. While morning sickness and back pain are well-known pregnancy symptoms, "pregnancy rhinitis" often flies under the radar. Medically defined as nasal congestion lasting six or more weeks during pregnancy, without any other signs of an allergy or upper respiratory infection, this condition affects an estimated 20% to 40% of pregnant women, typically surfacing around the second trimester.
Elevated levels of estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) increase blood flow throughout the body. In the nasal passages, this leads to engorgement of the blood vessels (vasodilation) and swelling of the mucous membranes, mimicking the sensation of a stuffy nose. blocked nose during pregnancy
As these blood vessels swell, the lining of your nasal tissue becomes inflamed and thickens, significantly narrowing the airway. For many expectant mothers, the journey to motherhood